Peer Response

English 1113

Remembering Essay

 

PURPOSE

  1. Does the draft fulfill the assignment?
  2. Does the essay accomplish its purpose?

 

TITLE AND INTRODUCTION

  1. Does the title tell readers what the draft is about?
  2. How does it capture the reader’s interest?
  3. What does the opening accomplish?
  4. Does it make the reader want to continue? How else might it begin?

 

THESIS

  1. What is the main idea? Is it stated at the end of the opening paragraph?
  2. Does it mention the significance of the topic? (memory)

 

AUDIENCE

  1. How does the draft interest and appeal to its audience?
  2. Is the language appropriate for the intended audience?

 

SUPPORTING POINTS

  1. List the main points and review them one by one. How does each one support the thesis?
  2. Do any need to be explained more or less fully? If so, which ones?
  3. Do any seem confusing or boring?
  4. Do any make you want to know more?
  5. Should any points be eliminated or added?
  6. How well is each point supported by evidence, examples and/or details?

 

ORGANIZATION AND FLOW

  1. Is the writing easy to follow?
  2. Are the ideas presented in an order that makes sense to the reader?
  3. What order is used? (least to most important? Most to least important? Chronological? Etc.)

 

TRANSITIONS

  1. Has the writer used effective transitions within sentences, between sentences, between paragraphs, and from one idea to the next? Underline the transitional words, phrases and/or sentences in the essay.

 

CONCLUSION

1. Does the draft conclude in a memorable way? Or does it seem to end abruptly, trail off into vagueness, or just stop?

2. How else might it end?

 

WRITER’S VOICE

1. Is the writer’s voice formal, abrasive, gentle, conversational, authoritative, funny, mushy, critical, or something else?

2. List some words, phrases or sentences that illustrate that voice. (at least three)

 

PUBLIC RESONANCE

1. What is the significance of this topic to the public?

2. How has the writer illustrated that?

 

RHETORICAL TOOLS

1. How many different strategies has the writer used to achieve his/her purpose? (Description, narration, illustration, comparison, contrast, definition, etc)

2. Which is the most effective for you?

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

1. What are the main strengths of this essay?

2. What are the main weaknesses of this essay?

3. What might still be confusing to readers?

4. What is the single most important statement in the essay?

5. what will readers want to know more about?